At the wrapping up of Women’s Month the surfacing of allegations of demands for sex in exchange for jobs levelled against a politician attached to an African National Congress (ANC) branch in Seshego, is rocking the party.
Allegations of the distribution of nude pictures signifying a male presence, requests for sexual favours and harassment with intimate undertones against the politician connected to Milo Malatjie branch of the ANC have been brought to Polokwane Observer’s attention.
Alarm was being raised about the matter by a source who said he was shocked to hear of the allegations.
As claims about reported improper conduct on the part of the politician emerged this week, angry party members are intending to escalate the matter to a branch meeting this Sunday while complaints have already been brought to the attention of seniors in the organisation, it was learnt.
Amid tension running high about the issue, a source alerting Polokwane Observer about the matter estimated around seven to ten women having allegedly being targeted to give in to sex with the man to secure employment opportunities in return.
One of the targets claimed to have been approached twice – the first time being around two months ago – and said that although no money was discussed she understood that the alleged perpetrator intended to pay her for sexual favours he wanted to solicit from her. She denied having entered into an arrangement with him.
A man whose wife was reportedly approached some five to six weeks ago with the same purpose in mind expressed the view that the politician was destroying families through his conduct. His unemployed wife, he added, had allegedly been threatened that she could forget about employment prospects for turning the man down.
A source in party ranks informed Polokwane Observer that complaints about the matter had been brought forward by two women but that information had been received that there were more victims. The source made it clear that allegations of the politician attempting to obtain sexual favours while acting in an official capacity were being levelled against him. According to the source the matter was being dealt with internally after complaints made to party seniors.
The source concluded saying it was high time that politicians took seriously the outcry against gender-based violence and abuse against women and children resonating throughout the country.
ANC Peter Mokaba Regional Secretary Eugene Masete said they were not aware of the matter and added that it had never been brought to their attention. The door of the regional executive was open if members wanted to raise the matter with them, he pointed out. Masete continued saying such acts were considered acts of criminality and the party didn’t promote or excuse it. Although still allegations that otherwise had to be proven, the party’s stance was clear that no vulnerable person could be taken advantage of by any leader, irrespective of the position, he concluded.
*A week ago Democratic Alliance Women’s Network (Dawn) Leader Nomafrench Mbombo was in Polokwane for an awareness drive addressing the issue of sex for jobs. In an interview afterwards she raised concern about the matter and alluded to having been informed about the trend being most dominant in rural areas in the province where leaders in positions allegedly attempted to secure sexual favours in exchange for employment. In the meantime Dawn Provincial Leader Desiree van der Walt informed Polokwane Observer that Mbombo’s visit was the result of a complaint having been received from ANC ranks in Limpopo.
Van der Walt further said she was working towards the establishment of a health desk for women – irrespective of party affiliation – in Limpopo by mid-September. Dates and venues for meetings for women to raise issues relating to their rights having been infringed and especially such phenomenon that had more than before become a power game involving vulnerable women, would be communicated.
Story: YOLANDE NEL
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